In the midst of the turmoil in the trade market, the Raptors and Knicks completed a shocking big trade. The Knicks got Anunoby, Achiuwa and Flynn, and sent Barrett, Quickley and a 2024 second-round pick. In this deal, many believe that the Raptors have suffered a loss, after all, they sent away Anunoby, the best 3-and-D player in the league today, but failed to get a first-round pick. However, it only took 2 games for the Raptors to prove that they didn't lose out on this deal, but became a winner.
First, let's review these two key wins. In the game against the Grizzlies, the Raptors and Grizzlies battled for four quarters, and finally won 116-111, and the Raptors successfully defeated the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies are a team with Morant, and their strength should not be underestimated. The key to this victory was the excellent performances of Quickley and Barrett. Quickley became the team's leading scorer, shooting 8-of-18 from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point range, finishing with 26 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists. Barrett also had 14 points, seven rebounds and three assists. The two teamed up for 40 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, which became the key to the team's victory.
And in the last game against the Cavaliers, the Raptors also came out victorious. After these two consecutive wins, the Raptors are just one step away from the play-in tournament and once again see the hope of a playoff tournament. It has to be said that this northern division is rising and becoming a force to be reckoned with in the east.
Looking back at the deal, it initially looked like the Raptors were losing, but now it looks like they've managed to turn things around through shrewd manoeuvres and great player play. Anunoby's departure is indeed regrettable, but after his departure, the Raptors' roster depth has not suffered. Of course, the Knicks will certainly not suffer, the team has too many ball-handlers, sending Barrett and Quickley away is just right, as for Anunoby, going to any team is seamless.
In those two crucial victories, Quickley and Barrett were impressive. Quickley's scoring ability and Barrett's fast-break ability both contributed to the team's victory. And they didn't just put in a great statistic performance, they also played well in the crucial moments of the game, bringing victory to the team. This performance is not only because of the outstanding individual ability, but also because of their teamwork and tacit cooperation in the game. This team spirit and ability to work together is what makes the Raptors on a winning streak.
In addition, we can't ignore the overall strength of the Raptors. Despite losing a star player like Anunoby, the Raptors still have a lot of roster depth. They also have Siakam and Barnes as the two strikers, and the rest of the squad has also been in good form and together they have contributed to the team's victory. The strength of this team is not only reflected in the strength of the players, but also in the team's tactical system and teamwork.
Overall, despite losing a star player in the trade market, the Raptors managed to keep the team competitive through shrewd maneuvers and great player performance. These two crucial victories are not only an affirmation of the individual ability of the players, but also an affirmation of the strength and teamwork of the entire team. As the season progresses, there is reason to believe that this Northern Division will continue to rise as a formidable force in the Eastern Conference.